Ball delivery mechanism for bowling pin spotting machines



1961 M. PATTERSON ETA].

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS MOREHEAD PATTERSON BY JOHN ZUERGHER BALLDELIVERY MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 14, 1958Jan. 31, 1961 M. PATTERSON ETAL 2,969,982

BALLDELIVERY MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 14,1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTORS MOREHEAD PATTERSON BY JOHN ZUERCHER ATTo NEY Jan. 31, 1961 MrPATTERSON ETAL v r 2,969,982

BALL DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 14,1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3

INVENTORS MOREHEAD PATTERSON 75y JOHN ZUERCHER ATTORNEY BALL DELIVERYMECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Morehead Patterson, NewYork,

Zuercher, Mansfield, Ohio, assignors to American Machine & FoundryCompany, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Jan. 14, 1958, Ser. No.708,920

4 Claims. (Cl. 273-49) This invention relates to bowling pin spottingmachines and more particularly to improved mechanism for efiecting theremoval of bowling balls from the pit of a bowling alley and theirdelivery to apparatus which returns them to a player at the head end ofa bowling alley.

In the operation of bowling pin spotting machines, it is desirable thatthe ball be returned to the waiting bowler with a minimum of elapsedtime, providing maximum enjoyment of the game for the bowler andpermitting the bowling establishment to be operated at maximumefficiency. The present invention is characterized by the provision ofnovel ball delivery mechanism which includes an opening in one of thekickbacks and a swingably mounted door normally closing the openingoperating in response to a ball moving against the door to effect theopening of the door so that the ball may roll out through the openingand of the pit. A door which normally closes the opening is swingablymounted on the inside of one of the kickbacks adjacent the openingtherein. The door, when actuated, is swung inwardly into the pit andtowards the head end of the associated alley, thereby moving any pinswhich may be located adjacent to it away from the kickback on which thedoor is mounted, and thus clearing an unobstructed path for a ball inthe pit to roll through the opening and out of the pit. Means is alsoprovided to close the doors as soon as possible after a ball leaves thepit in order to prevent any pins from following the ball out of the pit.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide novelmeans for effecting the removal of bowling balls from the pit of abowling alley.

It is a further object of this invention to provide novel ball doors forclosing openings in the kickbacks of bowling alleys, and operating meanstherefor which decreases the amount of elapsed time required forremoving balls from the pit of the bowling alley for delivery to ballreturn apparatus.

It is an added object of the present invention to providesolenoid-actuated ball doors for closing openings in the kickbacks ofbowling alleys swingably mounted for movement into the pit of a bowlingalley to permit balls only to be removed therefrom.

An added object of this invention is to provide means for moving pins inthe pit of a bowling alley out of the path of travel of a ball therebyproviding an unobstructed path for a ball to roll out of or be removedout of the pit of a bowling alley.

An additional object of the invention is to provide coacting meansoperative in response to the removal of a ball from the pit of a bowlingalley to prevent pins from following the ball out of the pit. Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide novel means forselectively releasing balls from the pits of adjacent bowling alleysinto a common ball return mechanism.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, theinvention consists in certain combinations Patent N.Y., and John2,969,982 Patented Jan. 31, 1961 and constructions which will behereinafter fully described and then specifically set forth in theclaims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification andin which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation partly in section, taken on line 22, Figure1.

Figure 3 is a front elevation, partly in section, taken on line 3--3,Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a suitable control circuit for the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention showninstalled and operating between adjacent kickbacks 12 and 14 of twoconventional side-by-side bowling alleys 16. The invention is preferablyemployed with automatic bowling pin spotting machines but can also beused with alleys having other pin spotting means.

Bowling ball 10 is removed from the playing surface of either bowlingalley 16 by play thereon or by means of suitable sweep mechanism (notshown) into its respective pit P1 or P2. Ball 10, thus removed isdeposited on conveyor 20 suitably mounted and driven in the pits P1 andP2 in the direction of arrow A. It will be understood that if ball 10 ispropelled with sufficient force by a player its momentum will carry itdirectly into contact with cushion 18 before ball 10, riding on conveyor20, is carried thereon toward the rear of its respective pit P1 or P2 inthe direction of arrow A until it contacts cushion 18.

Each pit P1 and P2 of alleys 16 is provided with a transverse pitcushion l8 swingably mounted in suitable framework (not shown) (seeFigure l). The upper lap of each conveyor 20 is supported by a platform21 suitably secured adjacent the lower edges of side plates 12 and 14 toprevent the upper lap of conveyor 20 from sagging under load.

Upon contact with ball 10, cushion 18 swings rearwardly to engage andactuate its respective switch 22 which is suitably secured adjacent therear of each cushion 18 to kickback 12 or 14 by bracket 24. When switch22 is thus actuated, a circuit is completed energizing relay 26 (Figure4) which, in turn, closes its contacts 28 and 32. Contact 32, whenclosed, completes a circuit energizing its associated solenoid 34 whichis suitably secured by bracket 36 to kickback 12 or 14 respectively.Contacts 28, when closed, complete a holding circuit through normallyclosed switch 66 (68) which operates to continue to hold in the circuitthrough relay 26 after switch 22 is deactuated.

Each kickback 12 and 14 is provided with an opening 58 through which aball 10 in either pit P1 or P2 can pass to the ball return apparatus(partially shown). A door or gate 38 is mounted adjacent to and normallycloses each opening 58. As shown herein door 38 may be flat so that theysubstantially are seated within the kickback 12 and 14 or lie flush withkickback covering 40 as shown in Figure 1.

Since the construction and operating mechanism of each door or gate 38is the same, a detailed description of one only is necessary for anunderstanding of the invention. Similarly Figure 4 discloses a suitablecircuit for effecting the proper operation of one of the solenoids 34,it being understood that the circuit for operating the other solenoid 34is the same, although one of the circuits is provided with a controlswitch 66 and the other a control switch 68 which are actuated by theirrespective operating arms 56 and 57.

Door 38 is pivotally mounted on shaft 44 secured to its respectivekickback 12 or 14 by bracket 46. Spring 30 encircles shaft 44 with oneend thereof exerting pressure against its respective kickback 12 or 14and other end of spring 30 bearing against pin 52 on door 38, thusurging door 38 into closed position in its respective kickback 12 or 14.A second spring 48 is secured at one end to clevis "50, mounted on theexternal end of armature of solenoid 34. 'The other end of spring 48 issecured to pin 52.

When solenoid 34 is energized, as described hereinabove, its armature 54is retracted moving clevis 50 into the position indicated in phantom inFigure l. The tension force thus induced in spring 48 overcomes theclosing force of spring 30, pivoting door 38 about shaft 44 into openposition indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1.

With door 38 in open position, the ball 10, which actuated-switch 22,can pass through its associated open- .ing 58 in kickback 12 or .14. Therotation and inclined mounting of conveyor 20 in pits P1 and P2 (Figure3) together with the angleat which cushion 18 is installed in pits P1and P2 (Figure l) efiect the movement .of ball through opening 58. Arolling ball 10, passing through an opening 58, is deposited on chute 60which is sloped inwardly towards its center and downwardly away fromsolenoids 34 and suitably secured to kickbacks 12 and 14. Ball 10subsequent to its delivery onto chute 60, rolls forwardly on returnrails 62, which are preferably constructed of a resilient material suchas rubber covering metal tubes 64 secured to suitable support frame work(not shown) by brackets 65. It will be readily apparent that rails 62may be of solid construction also without. affecting their manner ofoperation.

As ball 10 rolls along rails 62, it depresses the operatingarms 56 and57, thus opening their normally closed switches 66 and 68. Switches 66and 68 associated with their respective solenoids 34, are secured tobracket 72 by support 70. Bracket 72, in turn, is mounted on a suitableframe (not shown). Ball-10, upon further travel along rails 62 isengaged by an endless elevating belt 74, which passes around pulleys 76(only one shown) mounted in arms 78 (only one shown) and driven in anysuitable manner. Belt 74 operates to elevate ball 18 to a return track(not shown) for eventual return to the player at the head end of theassociated alley. Rails 62, belt 74 and their associated operatingmechanism may be similar in construction and operation to that disclosedinthe Zuercher et al. Patent 2,765,172 for Bowling Ball 'Handling andReturn Mechanism. Since this structure forms no specific part of theinvention, further disclosure thereof is omitted in the interests ofbrevity.

As soon as switch 66 or 68 is opened by a ball 10 delivered fromeitherpit P1 or P2, as described hereinabove, the associated holdingcircuit through contacts 28 of relay 26 is broken, causing the relay 26,corresponding to a particular circuit to be de-energized opening itscontacts 28 and 32. When contacts 32 are thus opened, the respectivesolenoid 34 is de-energized and its respective spring 48 urges armature54 into its extended position. This enables spring 30 to return itsrespective door 38 to closed position in its opening 58, therebypreventing any pins from leaving the associated pit P1 or P2therethrough.

If a ball 10 from pit P1 reaches chute 60 after a second ball inpit"P2has caused its associated relay 26 to be energized, the first ball10 from pit P1 opening switches 66 and 68 as described above will notinterrupt thecircuit energizing solenoid 34 of pit P2 since the secondball 16 in pit P2 is still contacting cushion 18 closing its associatedswitch 22. Switch 22 of pit P2 completes the circuit energizing itssolenoid 34 until switch 68 is again closed when ball 10 from pit P1 isno longer in contact with its operating arm 57 having been engaged bybelt 74.

As will be noted best from Figure *3, conveyor 28 of pit' P2 is at aslightly higher elevation than conveyor 20 of pit R1. If-a ball 10 frompit P1 and a'ball 10 from pit-P2 arrive on chute '60 at the same time,the ball 1Q from pit P1 being at a lower elevation will tend to urge theball 10 from pit P2 away from rails 62 and belt 74 because of thecoaction of the two balls wherein the ball delivered from pit P1 islocated at a lower level and somewhat beneath the ball from pit P2 andthe latter in effect will tend to press the .ball from pit P1 forwardlyalong rail 62. This ensures that in the event of simultaneous arrival ofballs from both pits P1 and P2, no bottleneck will develop in chute 60since, in this situation, due to the difference in elevations, the ball10 from pit P1 will always have preference and ,proceed first alongrails 62 for engagement by belt 74 and return .to the head end of theassociated alleys.

As described in detail hereinabove, doors 38 are swung into pits P1 andP2. It will be apparent that this prevents any bowling pins removed fromthe playing surface of alley 16 onto conveyor 20 from leaving pit P1 orP2 via openingSS. A ball, due to its spherical shape and .rearwardlyonconveyor 2t) and will pass under cushion 18. This eliminates thepossibility of a bowling pin leaving pit Pl -or P2 via their respectiveopenings 58 when either door 38 is in open position since sucha'pin'would have to move sideways arounddoor 38. Furthermore, shouldthere be a collection of pins on conveyor 20 adjacent the pit side ofthe ball door 38 when. a ball causes solenoid 34 to be energizedasdescribed above,.spring 48 will exert a force through ball door 38 onsuch a collection of pins. Such force effects the breaking upof thecollection of pins, directing them away from .the kickbacks 12, 14 andtoward the rear of pit P.

What we claim is:

1. Bowling ball handling and return mechanism for usewith two adjacentbowling alleys, each of said alleys having a pit at one end thereof, andspaced kickbacks positioned at opposite sides of each of said pits, theadjacent kickbacks of said alleys each provided with a ball openingthrough which a bowling ball may be rolled out of either of said pits, agate for each of said-openings, means mounting said gates for movementfrom closed position in said openings to open positionin said pits,means normally urging each ofsaid gates into said closed position, meansoperative in response'to the arrival of a bowling ball in either of saidpits to move the associated gate from closed position for passage ofsaid ball out of saidpit and throughsaid opening means forincapacitating said last-named'means, after-said ball has passed out ofits associated pit, and means for delivering said ball onto areturnrunway, said openings being disposed at dilierent elevations insaid kickbacks to effect the selective delivery of said ball fromthe'opening at a lower level first by said last-named means when ballsfrom each of said pits pass thereto through said openings atsubstantially the same time.

.2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said meansoperative tomove said associated gate includes a solenoid, incapacitating means forde-energizing said solenoid to release said open gate for return to itsclosed positionafter said ball has passed out of said pit, said meanscomprising switches connected in each of said C11- cuits and mountedbetween said pits adjacent said ball openings such that when a ballpasses through said opening, said switches are actuated therebyde-energizing said solenoids.

means mounting said gates for movement from closed position in saidopenings to open position in said pits,

means normally urging each of said gates into closed position relativeto its associated opening, an operating circuit for each of said gates,a solenoid in each of said circuits, means connecting each of saidsolenoids to its associated gate, a pit cushion in each of said pits,means mounting each of said cushions transversely above each of saidpits, a switch in each of said circuits mounted adjacent each of saidpit cushions such that when a bowling ball in either of said pitsengages its respective pit cushion, said switch associated therewith isactuated thereby, energizing its associated solenoid whereby said gateconnected to said energized solenoid is moved into open position in itsassociated pit for passage of said ball out of said associated pit, andmeans in each of said operating circuits to maintain its associatedsolenoid in energized condition after its associated energizing switchhas been actuated, whereby bowling balls present in both of said pitswill successively pass through their associated open gates and out ofsaid pits.

4. Bowling ball release apparatus for use with the com- 20 mon ballreturn mechanism of two side-by-side bowling alleys comprising akickback at the adjacent side of each pit of said bowling alleys, eachkickback provided with a ball opening through which a bowling ball maybe rolled out of either of said pits, a gate swingably mounted in eachof said openings, and ball operated means for swinging each of saidgates out of its respective opening and into its associated pitoperative in response to the engagement of a hall therewith on thearrival of a ball in said associated pit, whereby said ball may passthrough said respective opening and out of said associated pit, saidball openings being disposed at upper and lower elevations to efifectthe delivery of the ball from the lower opening to said return mechanismfirst when balls from each of said pits pass through said openingssubstantially simultaneously.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,068,131 Holland July 22, 1913 2,600,918 Pohl June 17, 1952 2,699,944Keesling Jan. 18, 1955 2,765,172 Zuercher Oct. 2, 1956

